‘I AM NOT A SENTIMENTAL GUY’
Rana Daggubati talks about his birthday plans; says he likes spending the day with friends and family
Actor Rana Daggubati turns a year older today, but it appears the actor won’t be able to celebrate until after he attends to his commitments. “It’s a working birthday. I’m in the US to host a show,” he says. Ask Rana about his fondest birthday memories and most memorable gifts, and the actor says, “I started off early and have been working for about 15 years now, but I would never really work on my birthdays. Usually, the day is about spending time with friends and family at home in Hyderabad (Telangana). So now it feels like I am only growing older, as I am working on my birthday (laughs). As for gifts, I am actually not a sentimental guy (laughs), but if I could go back in time, I’d like to really spend the day with my grandfather (D Ramanaidu; film producer).”
Rana’s next Hindi project is called Haathi Mere Saathi, but he says it’s not a remake of the 1971 film of the same name. “It’s about a relationship between a man and an elephant. But it’s more about a man who fights for nature against society. It’s a very value-based yet entertaining film. Prabhu Solomon (director) is a master craftsman. He is quite connected to nature and animals and really understands them. He is someone who knows how to make such stories for the screen. I am happy to be part of the film,” the actor says.
The Baahubali actor adds that he is a big fan of the late Rajesh Khanna, who starred in the original. “He was a great actor. I’ve seen Prem Nagar (1974), which was produced by my grandfather. We have watched a lot of his movies. When you look at Hindi cinema, his movies are masterpieces,” he says.
Rana says he is also fond of animals and grew up with his dog ET, who was adopted when the actor was a child. “He passed away when he was 14. So after that, I didn’t want to get another pet, because I wouldn’t be able to give the pet much time owing to work. Also, it’s hard to take a loss like that,” he says.